Learn to dive and protect marine life along the breath-taking Belize Barrier Reef

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Explore an underwater world and do volunteer conservation work in Belize for teenagers. You’ll learn directly from conservationists and be part of protecting the Belize Barrier Reef. You’ll get practical experience, and once you’ve gotten your diving certification, you’ll help underwater. Scuba diving is a magical experience, but diving with a purpose is so much more!

After seeing the beauty of the underwater world yourself, you’ll help raise awareness about how important it is to protect the reef. You’ll share different ways local people can help with conservation efforts.

You’ll work in Placencia and also team up with other teenagers to give back to the local community, like doing a beach clean-up. Help, learn, and explore Belize together.

Personalised MyProjectsAbroad website, with all the information you need about your project, accommodation and destination

A free cultural awareness course

Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch

Organised weekend tourism trips

Dedicated full-time staff members with you 24 hours a day

PADI diving course

Diving equipment rental

What's not included?

Flights

Visa costs (where applicable)

Is Marine Conservation work in Belize for high school students right for me?

This project is perfect for adventurous teens looking to protect the planet. Join if you’re interested in marine life or would like to pursue a career in environmentalism or conservation.

You don’t need any experience to do marine conservation work in Belize. Our staff are experts who’ll guide you through your project work. They’re also Dive Masters who can ensure that best safety practices are followed during your dives. This is a great opportunity to learn from qualified marine biologists and you’ll get plenty of practical experience.

Never been on a scuba dive before? No problem. You’ll get your PADI Open Water Diver certification during your first week at the project.

What will I do as a Conservation volunteer in Belize?

You’ll find there’s a lot of work to do to reduce the impact people have had on the Belize Barrier Reef. Here are some of your main tasks:

Get your PADI Open Water Diver certification

Survey dives to collect data and monitor marine life

Beach clean-ups and salvage dives for a cleaner environment

Community work like helping prevent beach erosion and planting seaweed

Discover the cultural heritage of this tropical island during weekend trips

Your work will focus on the following areas:

PADI diving certification

Your first week in Belize is spent getting your PADI Open Water Diver certification. The skills you learn during this course will enable you to take part in survey dives. These dives are critical to our conservation efforts in Belize. With this certification, join the diving community and discover new diving spots around the world for years to come. There are no extra costs. This international certification is included in your project fee.

Survey dives

By collecting data during thrilling survey dives, you’ll be contributing to massive databases that inform the local government Fisheries Department how best to protect the reef. Monitor things like fish species, size, and water temperature to determine which conditions are best for which creatures.

To float in clear blue waters past shoals of tropical fish and colourful coral is a magnificent experience. It’s rewarding knowing that while you dive, the work you’re doing will help to protect the beauty around you.

Salvage dives and beach clean-ups

Have you ever seen a jellyfish bobbing around in the ocean? How about a plastic bag? They look pretty similar, don’t they? Litter and pollution have a devastating effect on marine life. Many creatures eat non-biodegradable plastics or get caught in discarded fishing nets. Thanks to David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II, the issue of plastics in the ocean has started to get global attention. You can be a part of this worldwide initiative.

Help by participating in salvage dives to collect litter from the reefs. During our beach clean-ups, you’ll pick up plastic and other rubbish before it washes into the ocean. You’ll also pick up litter on beaches where turtles lay their eggs. This clears the path for hatchlings to make it to the ocean.

Community work

You’ll also be helping the community as a whole. Help with building barriers to stop coastal erosion or clean up litter in communities. You can also plant seaweed with local fisherman. Seaweed gives them an alternative, sustainable income source.

Discover what Belize has to offer

Belize is rich in cultural heritage and stunning nature. During weekends, hike to sparkling waterfalls, where you can swim in the cool, refreshing water. Go diving in the famous Blue Hole or explore ancient Mayan ruins. And all of this with a group of volunteers your age from around the world.

Our project partners in Belize

This wouldn’t be a Marine Conservation Project without the chance to dive and work at the forefront of reef protection efforts. So we’ve partnered with PADI to make sure you’re fully qualified to dive safely and confidently.

We’ve also partnered with the government Fisheries Department in Belize. We provide them with data that directly influences policy-making. The department doesn’t have enough staff and finances to collect this data themselves, so as a volunteer, the role you play is very important.

Where in Belize will I work?

Placencia

Placencia will be your main base. During dive trips, you will spend about two nights per week on more remote, unpopulated islands. Be prepared for more modest and basic facilities, but expect a unique opportunity for island living!

AIRPORT PICKUP, FLIGHTS AND VISAS

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Belize Arrival Procedures page.

What are the aims and impact of this project?

The aim of this project is to protect the Belize Barrier Reef and the marine life that call it home.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef in the entire world. It’s under serious threat from climate change, litter, unsustainable coastal development, and overfishing. If the reef dies and we lose too many marine species living here, tourism and fishing will be disrupted. This will affect people’s incomes and food sources.

The work you do will help to protect the reef. You’ll spread awareness about the importance of conservation efforts. You’ll also get involved in practical work to make Placencia a cleaner, more sustainable area.

Volunteering in Belize will have a major impact on your life. Gain a diving certification to add to your resume and get practical conservation experience. Learn about tropical marine ecosystems and animals, including sharks, turtles, rays, and a host of fish and corals.

Contribute to the conservation of marine life and broaden your horizon by joining this High School Special.

Management Plans

We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.

Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.

Measuring Our Impact

Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

You'll share accommodation with other Projects Abroad volunteers during your stay in Placencia. This is a great way to get to know your fellow volunteers, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your time together.

On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same sex and approximate age. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.

SAFETY AND STAFF SUPPORT

Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.

Meet the team in Belize

Kristin Marin

Country Director

Kristin was born and raised in Belize. After studying Economics in the US, she moved to London to pursue a Master in Social Policy and Development. She enjoyed travelling Europe, South Africa, and Hong Kong during that year and hopes to see more of the world very soon! Kristin is passionate about criminal justice and aims for all the projects in Belize help to combat the root causes of violence in Belize.

Meet the team in Belize

Celso Cawich

Conservation Manager

Celso has worked in marine conservation in Belize for the past eight years as a marine biologist for local NGOs and the national university. Celso Cawich graduated from the University of Belize with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management. More recently, Celso pursued a Master’s degree in Marine Science from the University of the South Pacific. His Master’s degree was focused in the identification of shark nursery grounds in Fiji. He has extensive knowledge of Belize’s marine science programs and has played a crucial role in the development of national marine monitoring databases such as the Reef Fish Spawning Aggregation Database, the Turtle Database and the Coral Bleaching Database. Celso has also worked as a student volunteer trainer, teaching young students in Belize about regional marine research methodologies. In his spare time, Celso enjoys diving new sites, exploring Belize’s coastal islands and hiking the Maya Mountains.

Meet the team in Belize

Ashty Dennison

Volunteer Coordinator

Ashty is originally from Belize City, but has been living on the island of Ambergris Caye for about six years. She is a certified massage therapist and volunteer with the Belize Red Cross (San Pedro Branch), of which she is currently the Vice Chair and First Aid/CPR Instructor. She loves animals and learning new things in her spare time.

Meet the team in Belize

Diomne Habet

Public Health Volunteer Coordinator

Diomne was born and raised on the south side of Belize City. Having seen children and adults live in poverty, she quickly became drawn to volunteering while she was still in high school. She moved to Cleveland, United States on a scholarship to study and now holds a bachelor's degree in political science. During her summer break in 2014, she aided in facilitating a workshop, which encouraged Belizean writers and poets to write not only about the paradisal side of Belize but also about the harsh realities Belizeans face every day. She also helped publish the attendees’ final written pieces. Diomne now chairs the Animal Welfare Committee for the Belize Humane Society, which volunteers run. She is committed to humanitarian and advocacy work and is excited to work with and guide our volunteers.

Meet the team in Belize

Claudia Arendse

Volunteer Advisor

Claudia joined Projects Abroad in October 2013. She was born and raised in Cape Town, where she graduated at Cape Peninsula University of Technology with a National Diploma in Tourism Management. She is passionate about working with and meeting different people from different cultures. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors, travelling domestically and exploring new places.

Meet the team in Belize

Imane Valsan

Volunteer Advisor

Imane was born in France. After studying history and literature, she decided to travel to Africa. She is always interested in discovering something new and started working for Projects Abroad in July 2015 as a Volunteer Advisor.

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